Most of the good digitals have a 3-5 yr warranty..but how long can one really last?You hear alot of bad press regarding their lifespan...whats the longest one has lasted for you?
Whats the longest lifespan ,of a digital ballast you have owned?
- Thread starter Snagglepuss
- Start date
Most of the good digitals have a 3-5 yr warranty..but how long can one really last?You hear alot of bad press regarding their lifespan...whats the longest one has lasted for you?
CranAppleGemz
Member
ive had 2 lumi's for 2 years now..no problems...the good thing about my shop is that they'll swap them out if they burn out before their 5 year warranty
couchlockd
Active member
i have 250 wat, 400watt, 600watt and a 175 watt future brite digitals and they have been going five years strong onnly i had to replace the fuse on the 600 watt after a power outage from a storm. and the 175 had to go back once but got a new one, with no problems
Balazar
Member
I have 5 lumi 1k's that I have never had a problem with (about to hit the one year mark) and 9 quantum's that I absolutely love that is coming up on 6 months. The only problem I have had is that Eye Hortolux bulbs just don't last in these things. Get any other brand but hortolux for a digital ballast.
im reading ushio in the lumatek's is what you want.
deadzombies420
Member
Mine going on 3 years plus.So only time will tell.
Chrellyboy
Member
I personally have never tried magnetic ballasts. I have used 400 and 600W Digi-ballasts, and they have been nothing but awesome. Except for the RF-noise, but this should be no problem assuming you are buying a ballast with a RF-filter.
Bud Spleefman
Member
3 years ago I bought a bunch of the first release Lumatek digi 1000watts and I have had 5 go bad! All have been replaced no questions asked, and they have a newer model now, the replacements have been the ones with the variable wattage. I've never seen a 750watt HPS, but my ballast will power one! None of the replacements have gone bad, and some are over a year old.
I just had my 600 watt lumatek burn out 20 minutes ago. Now i only have one 600 light at the moment. Half of my table is now somewhat shaded. This is a great way to start the day. I don't know what to do. I have nowhere to return it to. I have to buy a new one. Can anyone recommend a good 600 watt hps ballast that won't die?
Buster Brown
Member
im not a pro or anything, but ive had 2 lumatek digital ballasts for almost 5 years now, 1 600 and 1 400, there both abused as they usually are outside exposed to the cold or heat and they work perfect still, after ive had such good experiance with these, i doubt ill ever switch
I've heard Lumatek's reliability is losing ground lately. Higher failure rates than their competitors.
I've got a few 1000W Quantums that I've been running pretty much nonstop for about 19 months now, not a single hiccup. Switched to Ushio bulbs and all is well, they DO eat Hortiluxes.
I've got a few 1000W Quantums that I've been running pretty much nonstop for about 19 months now, not a single hiccup. Switched to Ushio bulbs and all is well, they DO eat Hortiluxes.
^ damn hortilux, they need to get there act together and change with changing times
I have used old lumateks for a year and sold them for the new ones, and used on and off a 600 which ate my horti blue, but still works fine
so I don't have much time in the saddle with them, but were guinea pigs with new tech, and need to keep that in mind
anyone that has huge tables, I suggest just buying another ballast if your worried, there not that expensive compared to the time for a crop..
I have used old lumateks for a year and sold them for the new ones, and used on and off a 600 which ate my horti blue, but still works fine
so I don't have much time in the saddle with them, but were guinea pigs with new tech, and need to keep that in mind
anyone that has huge tables, I suggest just buying another ballast if your worried, there not that expensive compared to the time for a crop..
HighonPottery
Member
400w HID Hut e-ballast went out on me after about 2.5yrs. Happened like one week into having my 3x3 HydroHut Silver - so I upgraded to a 1000w Xtrasun standard ballast. When I upgrade power, I'll switch to a 240v Lumatek 1k that I was gifted.
fireburner23
Member
I've had several horti blues get eaten with my lumatek. I've had to send it back to my vendor several times because it refuses to light up EVERY single time unlike the HPS I have, which starts up every single time.
couchlockd
Active member
i have a future brite 175 watt digital halide ballast its been on pretty much 24/0 for like 6-7 years never failed. i have replaced bulbs cuzz i felt they were kaput, but still lit.
and the same with the 600 future brite, 6-7 years of steady 12/12 only bulb changes when needed, never a premature failure.
and the same with the 600 future brite, 6-7 years of steady 12/12 only bulb changes when needed, never a premature failure.
B
BasementGrower
ive got a 400w econogro ballast.. thats not digital or electronic or whatever.. its old an mag.. but ive had it for 3 years.. and the guy before me had it for 4 years.. i changed out a couple things wen i got it jus tto make sure the light would be nice and bright.. but i was told mags last way longer is this true?
